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Botswana, officially known as the "Republic of Botswana", is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It shares borders with Zimbabwe to the east and northeast, South Africa to the south and southeast, Namibia to the west and northwest, and Zambia to the northeast. The northernmost part of Botswana has only a small border connection with Zambia near Victoria Falls.
Before gaining independence, Botswana was known as "Bechuanaland". It became a British protectorate in 1885 under the name *Bechuanaland Protectorate*. On September 30, 1966, the country declared independence and adopted the name *Republic of Botswana*, while remaining a member of the Commonwealth.
Economic Overview
Botswana is one of Africa's fastest-growing economies and among the more economically stable nations on the continent. In 2023, its GDP per capita exceeded $8,601. The three key industries driving Botswana's economy are mining, tourism, and livestock farming. The country is rich in mineral resources, particularly diamonds, ranking among the world's top producers and exporters of rough diamonds. In 2023, Botswana's total GDP was $20.45 billion, with a per capita GDP of $7,640 and an economic growth rate of 3.2%.
Natural Resources
Botswana possesses abundant mineral resources, including diamonds, copper-nickel, coal, soda ash, platinum, gold, and manganese. The country's diamond reserves and production volumes rank among the highest globally. According to official statistics, Botswana's proven copper-nickel reserves stand at 46 million tons, while coal reserves are estimated at 17 billion tons.
Mining Industry
Since the mid-1970s, mining has overtaken livestock farming as Botswana's primary economic sector. Due to fluctuations in global commodity prices, mining's contribution to GDP has declined from approximately 24% a decade ago to 11.49% in 2020. The country's main export commodities include rough diamonds, gold, soda ash, salt, and copper.
Diamonds remain the backbone of Botswana's economy, contributing significantly to government revenue and foreign exchange earnings. The country's leading diamond mining and trading companies include *Debswana Diamond Company*, *Diamond Trading Company Botswana*, and *Okavango Diamond Company*.
Livestock Industry
Livestock farming is a traditional pillar of Botswana's economy and a primary source of income for farmers. It accounts for approximately 80% of total agricultural output. Cattle farming dominates, with sheep farming playing a secondary role. The beef industry is Botswana's only economically significant agricultural sector. Official statistics show that the country's cattle population ranges between 1.7 million and 3 million head annually. Beef is one of Botswana's key export commodities and an important source of foreign exchange revenue.
Public Holidays
Botswana's official public holidays include:
- January 1: New Year's Day
- March/April: Easter Sunday
- May 1: Labour Day
- Early May: Ascension Day
- July 1: Sir Seretse Khama Day (in honor of Botswana's founding president)
- Third Monday of July: President's Day
- September 30: Independence Day
- December 25: Christmas Day
The government also designates the period from December 25 to January 1 as a national holiday. Additionally, Saturdays and Sundays are observed as non-working days.
Foreign Trade
#Total Trade Volume
Botswana follows a free trade policy. According to data from Statistics Botswana, the country's total merchandise trade in 2023 amounted to 202.39 billion pula, with exports reaching 102.51 billion pula and imports at 99.88 billion pula, resulting in a trade deficit of 2.63 billion pula.
#Key Trade Partners
In 2023, Botswana's primary sources of imports were South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, China, Canada, the United States, Belgium, and India. The country's major export destinations included Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, India, South Africa, Israel, and Hong Kong.
#Trade Composition
In 2022, diamonds were Botswana's largest export commodity, accounting for 87.2% of total exports, valued at 89.23 billion pula. Other key export items included:
- Copper: 3.9% of total exports
- Machinery & electronic equipment: 2.5%
- Live cattle: 1.2%
- Soda ash and salt: 1.0%
Meanwhile, Botswana's main imported goods in 2022 included:
- Diamonds: 27.3% (27.27 billion pula)
- Fuel: 18.4% (18.32 billion pula)
- Food, beverages, and tobacco: 13.3% (13.29 billion pula)
- Machinery & electronic equipment: 12.0% (11.95 billion pula)
- Chemicals and rubber products: 9.7% (9.65 billion pula)
- Vehicles and transport equipment: 6.0% (5.94 billion pula)
- Metals and metal products: 4.5% (4.44 billion pula)
China-Botswana Bilateral Trade
On May 21, 2021, Chinese Ambassador to Botswana Wang Xuefeng and Botswana's Minister of Finance Serame signed the *China-Botswana Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement* on behalf of their respective governments. Earlier, on January 7, 2021, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi signed a *Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Memorandum of Understanding* with Botswana's Minister of Foreign Affairs Kwape, making Botswana the 46th African country to join the BRI framework.
In 2024, China-Botswana bilateral trade totaled $1.01 billion, representing a 42.1% year-on-year increase of $300.39 million from 2023.
- China's exports to Botswana in 2024 reached $239.81 million, up 11.9% year-on-year.
- China's imports from Botswana totaled $770.46 million, marking a 55.1% year-on-year increase.
On a monthly basis:
- Exports: Peaked in December 2024 at $28.53 million, up $12.17 million from the same month in 2023.
- Imports: Reached their highest point in August 2024, at $140.28 million, an increase of $107.71 million from August 2023.
Blooming: Botswana Trade Data Solutions
Blooming provides continuously updated Botswana trade data, including:
- Importer and exporter information
- Commodity details
- Shipping records
- Transaction values
- Trade volumes and pricing data
This data helps businesses:
- Identify Botswana's key import and export products, their volumes, and transaction values.
- Evaluate market potential for their products in Botswana.
- Track market demand trends over time.
- Find reliable local business partners and assess their trading activities to mitigate risks and explore growth opportunities.
Are you eager to gain in - depth insights into the market demand in Botswana? Are you aiming to significantly expand your footprint in the international market of Botswana? Are you actively seeking more collaborations with clients and trustworthy suppliers in Botswana?
Sample Data
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